Johnson & Johnson Introduces 'The 3rd Opinion' in the Asia Pacific Region
In a significant move to improve shared decision-making and patient empowerment in lung cancer treatment, Johnson & Johnson has launched The 3 Opinion initiative across the Asia Pacific (APAC) region.
The initiative aims to create a new way of thinking about lung cancer treatment, encouraging patients to find their voice and seek informed and confident decisions. By providing educational resources and promoting access to expert insights beyond the initial physician consultation, The 3 Opinion initiative supports patients in seeking a "third opinion" that complements their primary care [2][4][5].
Lung cancer, with its highest incidence and mortality rate among all cancers worldwide, affects more than 2.5 million people every year. In the APAC region, the disease accounts for 63% of all patients, and up to 85% of these cases are non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Asians are more prone to certain genetic mutations than the rest of the world, with one of the most prevalent being EGFR, where 30-40% of all NSCLC diagnoses are in Asia, compared to 10-15% in the United States and Europe [1].
The key benefits of The 3 Opinion initiative include improving patient empowerment, fostering communication between patients and healthcare providers, and ensuring treatment plans reflect patients' values and preferences. By broadening patient understanding and involvement, the initiative aims to improve treatment adherence and outcomes across diverse health systems in the region [2][4].
Strategies used by The 3 Opinion initiative to enhance shared decision-making include disseminating culturally appropriate educational materials tailored to varied APAC markets, encouraging and facilitating the seeking of additional expert opinions, and aligning with regional lung cancer policy frameworks [1][4].
However, cultural norms around stigma, not questioning authority, and limited understanding of the disease can often be major barriers for patients to voice concerns or ask questions. The 3 Opinion initiative seeks to address these challenges by empowering patients, amplifying their voices, and ensuring collaborative care becomes a reality for every patient [3].
The 3 Opinion initiative will be launched across multiple markets with educational resources, including a Lung Cancer Book of Answers in China, a patient empowerment video, and various shared decision-making tools. The announcement does not contain any advertisements [3].
References:
- APAC Lung Cancer Policy Consensus
- Johnson & Johnson Launches The 3 Opinion Initiative
- The 3 Opinion Initiative
- The 3 Opinion: A New Approach to Lung Cancer Care
- The 3 Opinion: A Game Changer in Lung Cancer Care
Science plays a crucial role in The 3 Opinion initiative, as it relies on medical knowledge and research to provide educational resources for patients about lung cancer, its treatment options, and medical-conditions related to the disease. The initiative seeks to improve health-and-wellness outcomes by promoting shared decision-making and patient empowerment, particularly in the context of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), which affects a large number of people, particularly in the Asia Pacific (APAC) region.
